Tethering with iPad? Apple Code Shows It May Be Coming

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The iPad 3G certainly didn’t launch with tethering abilities, and Steve Jobs has promised to the public via e-mails that it would never get the ability to tether. But now, some iOS beta code shows that Apple may have patched that ability back in as some new tethering options are included in an APN settings panel.

Blog 9to5Mac is reporting that the beta 2 code of iOS 4.2 (that’s the version headed for the iPad) has an “Internet Tethering” section in the APN settings panel. As usual, it’s asking for the APN data as well as a password and username, similar to the cellular connection panel. What’s of note is that before tethering was officially announced for iOS and the iPhone, similar things were found in iPhone code, 9to5 reports.

Don’t expect this to be available on every iPad in the world, however. It’s being reported that this “feature” is only recreatable on iPad’s running on Three UK’s network. Those on AT&T in the ‘States were unable to recreate this settings panel. As you’re probably aware, iPad 3G users on AT&T are getting a sweetheat deal on month-to-month internet.

AT&T does allow tethering on other phones, obviously. Will they require an add-on data package to enable tethering on your iPad? Or will they just keep it blocked all together? What would happen if you had one iPad 3G that tethering internet connectivity to multiple WiFi-only iPads? Sound off in the comments section.